11-29-2018
LUMMI NATION, Wash. (AP) — Leaders from the Lummi, Swinomish, and two other Washington tribes told Canadian energy regulators Wednesday that increased tanker traffic from a proposed pipeline expansion project would harm endangered orcas, natural resources and their cultural way of life.
The contentious Trans Mountain project they are opposing would nearly triple the flow of oil from the Alberta oil sands to the Pacific Coast, and increase tanker traffic from about 60 to more than 400 vessels annually through the Salish Sea.
Canada’s government bought the project from Houston-based Kinder Morgan last summer, saying it is in Canada’s national interest.
Gov. Jay Inslee has also opposed the pipeline expansion.